Sausage Gumbo

Description:

To keep it simple, we’ve opted for just the essential ingredients in this rendition of the hearty Creole favorite: sausage, okra, rice and a little spice.

Ingredients:

12 ounces hot Italian turkey sausage links, removed from casings

2 teaspoons canola oil

1 large onion, diced

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

4 cups chopped tomatoes

4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth

2 1/2 cups frozen chopped okra

3/4 cup instant brown rice

1 bunch scallions, trimmed and sliced (optional)

Preparation:

1

Cook sausage in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, breaking it up into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until cooked through, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl lined with paper towels.

2

Return the pan to medium-high heat and add oil. Add onion and cook, stirring often, until translucent, about 2 minutes. Add garlic and Cajun seasoning and cook, stirring often, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add flour and cook, stirring to coat the vegetables, until the flour browns, about 1 minute. Add tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to release their juices, about 2 minutes. Stir in broth, cover, increase heat to high and bring to a boil.

3

Return the sausage to the pan, along with okra and rice; reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook until the okra is heated through and the rice is tender, about 10 minutes. Serve sprinkled with sliced scallions, if using.

Tips:

Ingredient Note: Cajun seasoning is a spice blend that usually includes cayenne and black pepper, salt, thyme, garlic and onion powder and paprika. Look for it in the spice section of the supermarket.